Cancer survivorship and rehabilitation

A cancer diagnosis is often a life-changing event. Cancer survivorship has become an integral part of cancer care. Currently, two-thirds of patients survive at least five years after their cancer diagnosis and the proportion is increasing. Key components of survivorship care include: (1) surveillance for recurrence and screening for second primary cancers; (2) identification and management of long-term and late effects of the cancer and cancer treatments (3) improving modifiable health behaviours; and (4) care coordination. Late effects can be physical or psychosocial. Development of clinical practice guidelines that incorporate evidence-based recommendations is critical, as is further research to understand the full impact of cancer on patients’ lives.